Koforidua, Ghana—The Koforidua Divisional Police Command has launched an investigation into the tragic drowning of a 13-year-old Junior High School (JHS 1) student in an abandoned quarry pit in Aboabo, near Koforidua, over the past weekend.
The quarry, locally known as “Aboabo New York,” has been left unattended for years and has since transformed into a deep, hazardous pool. Prior blasting operations caused underground water to seep to the surface, forming a large, unprotected body of water that now poses a severe risk to the community, particularly children.
Circumstances of the Drowning
Reports indicate that four children, including the victim, visited the site over the weekend to swim. During the outing, the JHS 1 student drowned. Fearing punishment, the three surviving children reportedly failed to alert any adults, leaving the boy’s body submerged overnight.
The following day, attempts by four young men to retrieve the body were initially unsuccessful. According to local custom, they were subsequently instructed to perform traditional rituals, including the use of eight eggs and schnapps, before the body could be recovered. The victim’s family also performed their own rituals as part of the retrieval process.
The body was eventually recovered from the pit and has been deposited at the Eastern Regional Roman Hospital morgue for preservation as the police continue their investigation.
Community Demands Action
Residents have voiced profound concern over the persistent dangers posed by the abandoned site. In addition to the deep water hazard, locals note the presence of abandoned machinery and the added risk of three high-tension cables running close to the site.
The community is urgently appealing to local authorities to intervene, demanding that the quarry be immediately secured or reclaimed to prevent any further tragedies.
